Warriors move to 2-0 with Sunday win

The Hawai’i basketball team relied on a balanced offense and a gritty defense in an 81-54 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on the second night of the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Rainbow Classic on Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Brereton also grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Warriors to a 45-38 advantage on the boards. Hawai’i also limited the Golden Lions to a .262 field goal percentage.

The Warriors improved to 2-0 this season, and will face Houston Baptist on Monday for the championship of the Rainbow Classic. Houston Baptist is also 2-0 in the Classic. The Monday night game will start at 11 p.m. as part of ESPN’s College Basketball Tip-Off Marathon.

UAPB took an early five-point lead, but the Warriors rallied to take a 33-27 lead by halftime. Brereton scored 10 in the first half, and Tavita added eight points and five assists.

The Warriors opened the second half with a 14-5 surge in the first four minutes after intermission to increase the lead to 47-32 and then pulled away down the stretch. All 12 Warriors in uniform saw action.

More details, including video highlights and interviews, will be posted later.

All the boys played really well – Jace did a great job at PG – controlled the play well.
Obviously the team practiced hard on breaking the press!!!
Ozi mum – nice game
And that Australian kid popped in a 3 – Yipee!!!

The team really came together right before the half and pulled away in the 2nd! Great to see Micheal with the 3 (this time with over 2 minutes of play-YAY to Aussie Mom getting excited!!!) It appeared that everyone that played scored, which was a great use of the bench! Nice game Warriors!

Great game guys….DEFENSE, REBOUNDS…that is the difference! And now….the shooters are starting to get confidence…PG’s Tavita/Clair getting it done…Great Win..As Gib will tell the guys, one game at a time, and keep

on working on weaknesses and playing your strengths…and so far…this team is as advertised…they ARE a TEAM, not One or Two guys..very proud and happy…however you know the Team has bought in to Gib’s

philosophy..work your butts off in pracitice and in game play solid D, and smart on offense..you are gonna play..

Go Rainbow Warrirors…Big game tonite..first Rainbow Classic Title to shoot for in awhile..

And props to Ozi, Harper, Michael, Roop, Fotu “Fro”…hey fans no matter what lies ahead, this team has brought a lot of smiles to a couple of thousand MBB fans here in Hawaii and across the globe..!!

These are a great bunch of High Character, student /athletes..guys on bench including the 3 redshirts, cheering guys on floor …THAT, my friends IS A TEAM, BY THE TEAM AND FOR THE TEAM…wish them great

success,now they can run?..Never saw that in a couple of years..they can get D rebound and they outlet it quick,,I like it Gib..and now you have some depth, 8, 9 maybe 10 ,11, or 12!!

And finally to Aussie Mum, you must have the largest smile on your face, Michael’s deep corner 3 was true!
Warriorinsider Ohana(family) is elated for you and Michael H. !!

This team makes us smile..very, very, very hard , effort players..good bunch of guys..:D!!